The combination of powerful
technology developments and global business opportunities has led to the
creation of new organizational forms and new challenges in managing them.We call these new organizational forms, “the
digital firm,” to emphasize that every aspect of the firm is touched and
potentially transformed by digital processes.This course focuses on understanding the nature of the digital firm and
the key issues in organizing and managing it.Managers of digital firms need to identify the challenges facing their
firms; understand the technologies that will help them meet these challenges;
design business processes to take advantage of the technologies; and create
management procedures and policies to implement the required changes. By the
end of this course students will understand the issues involved in creating a
digital firm and in managing its processes, assets, and workforce.

CLASS PREPARATION, ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Please
complete the required reading before the day it is due.I will also provide a list of optional
readings on the course blackboard site, which you may use as a starting point
to pursue any of the class topics in more depth.

Your
performance will be assessed as follows:

1.15% Reading
presentation and discussion (team grade)

2.15% Practicum
presentation and discussion (team grade)

3.15% Class
participation

4.55% Research
paper

Reading presentation and discussion:The presentation should be about 10 minutes
with ample time left for Q&A and discussion. The presentation should be
turned in in hard copy form at the end of the class, 3-5 pages with
accompanying slides.An electronic
version should also be submitted to my digital dropbox.

Practicum: Select a contemporary situation or issue
of relevance to the topic of the day, presumably from a web-based source.Present its key components, connect it to
the topic of the day and the themes of the course. The presentation should be about
10 minutes with ample time left for Q&A and discussion. The presentation
should be turned in in hard copy form at the end of the class, 3-5 pages with
accompanying slides.An electronic
version should also be submitted to my digital dropbox.

Class participation:I am following the class participation guidelines created by
Professor Tucci for his courses.They
seem to be clear and work well.You are
required to attend all classes. Much of the learning in this course occurs in
the classroom. If you feel that you cannot attend just about every class (for
example, if you have to attend interviews during class time or you have heavy
job commitments), please take another class that is less based on discussion.
Please note that I have a "no excuses" policy; that is, I only note
whether you are in class, not why you are not there (I do allow a free

absence, though; see below). You have one free absence that
you should use for EMERGENCY purposes, such as jury duty, surgery, funerals,
and other such major events. You can simply send me email saying you are using
your free absence and we will mark the spreadsheet as if you attended class and
participated. If at the end of the semester, you have not used your free
absence, you can use it for any class that you missed for any reason. You do
not have to tell me before the day you miss, simply send me an email by the end
of the semester.It goes without saying
that attending class is necessary but not sufficient.You must also contribute to the discussion.

Research paper: This paper will be on a topic of your
choice that reflects the course readings, themes, and your personal experience
and interests.It should be about 15
pages in length, properly formatted and documented.It is due at the beginning of class on April 26.Please submit both hardcopy and electronic
versions.